Dutch Railways (NS) is allowing security cameras from Chinese companies to hang in and around stations. Indeed, the railroad company has ordered thousands of new cameras, it says, because there is "no negative government advice" for their use and purchase. Rail operator ProRail, on the other hand, wants all cameras from Chinese manufacturers removed by the end of the year.
This is according to inquiries by Follow The Money (1).
More than 10,000 security cameras currently hang in trains, stations and bicycle sheds. The cameras are installed to protect train passengers and railroad personnel, as well as to prevent nuisances. Most of the cameras are from Western manufacturers, such as Bosch, Siemens, Axis and Teleste.
The share of Chinese cameras is also significant. Inquiries by Follow The Money reveal that security cameras from Hikvision and Dahua are in full use. In double-decker trains there are 1,500 cameras from the Chinese manufacturers.
If it is up to NS, there will be many more. In the near future, the railroad company plans to install another 5,000 Chinese cameras. These will be installed in the 99 new ICNG single-deck intercity trains, amounting to nearly 50 cameras per train.
The use of cameras originating from Chinese parties is controversial in our country. Privacy experts, members of parliament and other skeptics fear that the Chinese government is watching through the cameras (2). Whether the communist regime uses cameras to gather sensitive information, for example, to determine when specific diplomats visit an embassy.
In particular, cameras from Hikvision and Dahua are to blame. The NOS discovered earlier this year that at least 51 Dutch municipalities have security cameras from these manufacturers hanging within their municipal boundaries (3). These hang not only in public places such as parks, but also in sensitive locations such as a ministry.
In China, the government is using Hikvision and Dahua cameras to set up a surveillance state. Research by the research collective IPVM shows that Hikvision plays a key role in monitoring Uighurs 24/7 (4). Researchers from cybersecurity firm Watchful IP showed last year that it is easy for unauthorized persons to gain access to Hikvision security cameras. More than 80,000 of the manufacturer's cameras are estimated to be hanging in more than 100 countries.
Speaking to Follow The Money, ProRail says it is aware of the reputation of Chinese security cameras. The rail operator stresses that spying is impossible because the cameras are linked to "a closed and secure part of ProRail's network" that does not use Chinese servers and recorders.
To be on the safe side, ProRail nevertheless decided to remove all 196 Hikvision cameras before the end of the year. "As a result of these issues, we have taken the policy decision to no longer include these parties in tenders regardless of whether safety is actually at stake," a spokesperson said.
NS says it will not remove Chinese cameras. The company says it is in close contact with the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) about the use of cameras from Hikvision and Dahua. Because there is "no negative government advice," the railroad company sees no reason to remove them.
"In this, NS follows the advice of the NCSC and therefore currently sees no reason to replace those brands," a spokesman said. He promised that the company will investigate how future tenders can be adjusted "so that all products and (suppliers) meet our requirements and our social role."
Privacy experts believe the Dutch government should not do business with controversial with Chinese companies. Vincent Böhre, director of Privacy First, called the use of Chinese cameras by government agencies "worrisome." This is because they are associated with security issues and privacy violations. "You have to ask yourself whether, as a government agency, you want to be associated with these kinds of manufacturers," he told Follow The Money.
David Ollivier de Leth of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Platform also believes that the Dutch government should not do business with companies like Hikvision. "The government should not do business with companies in whose chain there are serious human rights violations," said Ollivier de Leth.
https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ns-prorail-en-chinese-cameras
https://www.vpngids.nl/nieuws/vvd-informeert-naar-chinese-beveiligingscameras/
https://www.vpngids.nl/nieuws/tientallen-gemeenten-gebruiken-omstreden-beveiligingscameras/
https://ipvm.com/reports/hikvision-36260
